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| University of Hawai`i officials have announced plans to improve stewardship of lands UH leases at the summit of Mauna Kea. Photo from UH |
YESTERDAY, ON THE FIRST DAY of hurricane season, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center on O`ahu reported that a poorly organized yet persistent area of weak low pressure located about 1,200 miles southeast of Hilo was producing sporadic showers and thunderstorms. According to CPHC, upper level winds are not conducive for further development as the system tracks slowly toward the west. Today’s report mirrors yesterday’s, with forecasters saying the system, now 1,100 miles from Hilo, will not strengthen.
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A COMMITTEE OF THE STATE Charter School Commission last week approved changes in the projected enrollment of Ka`u Learning Academy, which is set to open for the next school year. KLA proposed, and it was approved, to reduce enrollment to 85 students, from grades three to six. Previous projections were to accommodate 111 students, but founders of the school requested the change because they believe “it is important to complete … pre-opening criteria as soon as possible.”
A COMMITTEE OF THE STATE Charter School Commission last week approved changes in the projected enrollment of Ka`u Learning Academy, which is set to open for the next school year. KLA proposed, and it was approved, to reduce enrollment to 85 students, from grades three to six. Previous projections were to accommodate 111 students, but founders of the school requested the change because they believe “it is important to complete … pre-opening criteria as soon as possible.”
The change was recommended for approval by the staff of the state Charter School Commission.
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| Ka`u Learning Academy's requested changes have been approved. Photo from KLA |
Through the commission, licensed charter schools are provided with funds each year. Additional funding is often provided through grants and donations. Ka`u Learning Academy has been raising money through its Gilligan’s Café operations in the old Discovery Harbour golf course clubhouse where the school will be located.
Edmund C. Olson Trust II has donated two passenger vans to the charter school, and Gary McMickle, who owns 523 acres in the makai portion of Discovery Harbour and plans to build a lodge and shopping area near Wakea Avenue, has offered to donate five acres for a future campus in Discovery Harbour.
To read more about state funded charter schools, see chartercommission.hawaii.gov. On the About Commission tab, choose commission meeting info from drop-down list to see agendas and minutes from commission and committee meetings.
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To read more about state funded charter schools, see chartercommission.hawaii.gov. On the About Commission tab, choose commission meeting info from drop-down list to see agendas and minutes from commission and committee meetings.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAI`I IS AMONG THE TOP 10 STATES in the nation regarding clean-energy adoption, according to a new report from Clean Edge, a renewable-energy research and advisory firm. Hawai`i improved its score by nearly five points in this year’s index to 56.5.
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| Chart from Clean Edge shows Hawai`i's nearly steady increase in rankings for clean-energy adoption. |
Hawai`i rejoins the top 10 after dropping to 12th last year. Other than last year, Hawai`i has climbed steadily up the ranks since placing 19th in Clean Edge’s inaugural index in 2010.
Hawai`i ranked third in Technology this year, after California and Oregon. According to the report, Hawai`i’s small island geography makes it ideal for electric vehicles and ranks second in the nation for EVs per capita. Hawai`i also placed ninth in green buildings per capita.
The report also highlighted Hawai`i state Legislature’s passage this year of the nation’s first statewide 100 percent renewable energy mandate.
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Hawai`i ranked third in Technology this year, after California and Oregon. According to the report, Hawai`i’s small island geography makes it ideal for electric vehicles and ranks second in the nation for EVs per capita. Hawai`i also placed ninth in green buildings per capita.
The report also highlighted Hawai`i state Legislature’s passage this year of the nation’s first statewide 100 percent renewable energy mandate.
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UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I PRESIDENT David Lassner and UH-Hilo Chancellor Donald Straney will implement a plan for improved stewardship of Mauna Kea. They said Gov. David Ige’s statement last week, in which he listed actions for the university to take, is consistent with what they’ve have heard from the community. “We accept that the university has not yet met all of our obligations to the mountain or the expectations of the community,” they said. “For that, we apologize and lay out this outline of an action plan for improving our stewardship.
“Some of these implementation measures have been recommended to us in the past. As we move forward, we commit to increased engagement and active listening with the community, particularly from Kahu Ku Mauna, which has provided sage advice and guidance.”
According to the university officials, the Thirty Meter Telescope will be the last new observatory site developed on Maunakea, and any new observatories may only be placed on existing sites.
When Caltech Submillimeter Observatory ends operations in September, it will be the first observatory to implement the Decommissioning Plan for the Mauna Kea Observatories and should complete the process by 2018. Officials said they are discussing with directors of other observatories a definitive schedule of decommissioning Return of leased land to DLNR.
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| UH President David Lassner and UH-Hilo Chancellor Donald Straney will implement a plan for improved stewardship of Mauna Kea. |
The officials said they will consult with DLNR on how to identify and return to agency management lands that are currently part of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve that are not used for astronomy.
The officials will restart the Environmental Impact Statement process for the university’s new lease on the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, enabling them to include additional options for consideration and conduct a cultural impact assessment. They said the requested term of the new lease will be substantially less than a 65-year extension.
Regarding improved management of non-cultural access to Mauna Kea, in June, officials will begin a series of open house sessions for further public consultation, placing particular attention on the scope of rules on access. Draft rules are expected to be prepared by October to begin the formal public consultation phase of the rule-making process.
The university will work with Kahu Ku Mauna and other Native Hawaiian advisors to develop new cultural training and educational programs about Mauna Kea, including programs for visitors to ensure that all who visit Mauna Kea understand its cultural significance and how to respect the mountain.
Officials confirmed that the university is making, and will continue to make, full use of its observing time at Mauna Kea observatories.
Officials will discuss with sublessees the level of their investments in the operational and stewardship costs for the Mauna Kea Science Reserve as well as sublease payments under a new master lease.
UH will launch a campaign for new scholarship programs for Hawai`i Island and Native Hawaiian students to increase their participation in the sciences. The university will allocate a portion of its observing time to UH-Hilo for use in projects and programs to support greater participation and improved preparation of Hawai`i Island students for professional careers.
“I thank the University of Hawai`i for taking this initial step to improve the stewardship of Mauna Kea,” said Gov. David Ige. “I look forward to working together to make this plan a reality. Now comes the hard work as we move forward toward a new future for Mauna Kea.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
The officials will restart the Environmental Impact Statement process for the university’s new lease on the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, enabling them to include additional options for consideration and conduct a cultural impact assessment. They said the requested term of the new lease will be substantially less than a 65-year extension.
Regarding improved management of non-cultural access to Mauna Kea, in June, officials will begin a series of open house sessions for further public consultation, placing particular attention on the scope of rules on access. Draft rules are expected to be prepared by October to begin the formal public consultation phase of the rule-making process.
The university will work with Kahu Ku Mauna and other Native Hawaiian advisors to develop new cultural training and educational programs about Mauna Kea, including programs for visitors to ensure that all who visit Mauna Kea understand its cultural significance and how to respect the mountain.
Officials confirmed that the university is making, and will continue to make, full use of its observing time at Mauna Kea observatories.
Officials will discuss with sublessees the level of their investments in the operational and stewardship costs for the Mauna Kea Science Reserve as well as sublease payments under a new master lease.
UH will launch a campaign for new scholarship programs for Hawai`i Island and Native Hawaiian students to increase their participation in the sciences. The university will allocate a portion of its observing time to UH-Hilo for use in projects and programs to support greater participation and improved preparation of Hawai`i Island students for professional careers.
“I thank the University of Hawai`i for taking this initial step to improve the stewardship of Mauna Kea,” said Gov. David Ige. “I look forward to working together to make this plan a reality. Now comes the hard work as we move forward toward a new future for Mauna Kea.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Sciences Camps counselors Laura Baines and Jeff Gross. Photo from Sciences Camps of America |
SCIENCE CAMPS OF AMERICAN welcome new and returning staff this year. Bay Area Astronomy and Physics teacher Jeff Gross returns as an instructor/counselor. This will be Gross’ second summer at Science Camp. Gross is known for his great astronomy lessons and fantastic stories.
Laura Baines returns as Science Camps’ lifeguard/counselor.
Ashley Greenberg, a new instructor/counselor, holds a master of science degree from Johns Hopkins School of Education and is an elementary school teacher. When she was a teen herself, Greenberg went to the famous Space Camp in Alabama.
Laura Baines returns as Science Camps’ lifeguard/counselor.
Ashley Greenberg, a new instructor/counselor, holds a master of science degree from Johns Hopkins School of Education and is an elementary school teacher. When she was a teen herself, Greenberg went to the famous Space Camp in Alabama.
For the summer of 2015, Science Camps of America is hosting two sessions based at Pahala Plantation Cottages: Land & Sea Camp will be held June 29 – July 8, and Air & Space Camp from July 9 – 18.
Science Camp is a unique opportunity for teens to get out into the field to learn science, do science, meet scientists, make new friends and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each day, campers head out across the island to learn about volcanoes, the ocean, plants, animals, stars and more. A few scholarships and financial aid opportunities remain available. “Join us for this fantastic science learning adventure!” said founder Michael Richards.
View Science Camps itineraries and register for each session at sciencecampsamerica.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
View Science Camps itineraries and register for each session at sciencecampsamerica.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Kamehameha Schools volleyball Coach Guy Enriques holds camps this summer. Photo from Kamehameha Schools |
KA`U STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO REGISTER for Kamehameha Schools’ volleyball camps.
All Day-All Night Volleyball Camp is for high school boys and girls, and a day camp is for elementary/middle school volleyball players.
Tuition for the high school sleep-over camp June 7-11 is $160 including snacks and three meals per day.
The day camp June 8-11 runs 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Cost is $115 or, with lunch, $140.
Kamehameha Coach Guy Enriques, of Punalu`u, heads the camps.
For more detailed information and registration, see blogs.ksbe.edu/hawaiiathletics/2015/04/24/boys-volleyball-program or contact Guy Enriques at 217-2253 or enriques@hawaii.rr.com or Kapua Serrao at 935.4508.
HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS TOMORROW at 9 a.m. at Council Chambers in Hilo. The meeting is streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu state office building.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Tuition for the high school sleep-over camp June 7-11 is $160 including snacks and three meals per day.
The day camp June 8-11 runs 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Cost is $115 or, with lunch, $140.
Kamehameha Coach Guy Enriques, of Punalu`u, heads the camps.
For more detailed information and registration, see blogs.ksbe.edu/hawaiiathletics/2015/04/24/boys-volleyball-program or contact Guy Enriques at 217-2253 or enriques@hawaii.rr.com or Kapua Serrao at 935.4508.
HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS TOMORROW at 9 a.m. at Council Chambers in Hilo. The meeting is streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu state office building.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
